US5384709A - Miniature fluorescent lamp processing apparatus - Google Patents

Miniature fluorescent lamp processing apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US5384709A
US5384709A US08/021,425 US2142593A US5384709A US 5384709 A US5384709 A US 5384709A US 2142593 A US2142593 A US 2142593A US 5384709 A US5384709 A US 5384709A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
inlet
exhaust
manifold
disposed
end plate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US08/021,425
Inventor
Thomas A. Seder
William S. Ebeltoft
W. David Meyer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Boeing North American Inc
Original Assignee
Rockwell International Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rockwell International Corp filed Critical Rockwell International Corp
Priority to US08/021,425 priority Critical patent/US5384709A/en
Assigned to ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION reassignment ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: EBELTOFT, WILLIAM L., MEYER, W. DAVID, SEDER, THOMAS A.
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5384709A publication Critical patent/US5384709A/en
Assigned to SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION reassignment SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WANGTEK, INC.
Assigned to NORWEST BUSINESS CREDIT, INC. reassignment NORWEST BUSINESS CREDIT, INC. SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: TECMAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01JELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J9/00Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture, installation, removal, maintenance of electric discharge tubes, discharge lamps, or parts thereof; Recovery of material from discharge tubes or lamps
    • H01J9/46Machines having sequentially arranged operating stations
    • H01J9/48Machines having sequentially arranged operating stations with automatic transfer of workpieces between operating stations
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01JELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J9/00Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture, installation, removal, maintenance of electric discharge tubes, discharge lamps, or parts thereof; Recovery of material from discharge tubes or lamps
    • H01J9/38Exhausting, degassing, filling, or cleaning vessels

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to apparatus for manufacturing miniature fluorescent lamps, and more particularly relates to such apparatus having a flow-through gas design and even more particularly concerns a computer controlled apparatus for manufacturing miniature fluorescent lamps.
  • a miniature fluorescent lamp might be manufactured as follows:
  • the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing miniature fluorescent lamps, which is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, produce the earlier propounded objects, include the above described features and achieve the already articulated advantages.
  • the invention is carried out in a "backflush-less” system in the sense that the repeated backflushes in and out a single orifice of the fluorescent lamp have been eliminated. Instead, a flow-through design is utilized where a gas is passed through both one open end of the fluorescent lamp and out the other.
  • the invention is also carried out in a "widely variable internal gas pressure-less” fashion in the sense that the widely varying internal gas pressures associated with lamps produced without strict process controls have been reduced.
  • the present invention includes a computer controlled manifold system that monitors the temperature around each lamp and provides for more precise regulation of the valves and, thus, the internal gas pressure of the finished lamp.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention showing the oven, inlet manifold, exhaust manifold, and computer control devices.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the inlet manifold and related hardware.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the exhaust manifold and related hardware.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the tipoff ovens and coils and associated hardware.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic electrical diagram of the control interface of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the analog interface of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic electronic representation of the IEEE 488 interface of the present invention.
  • the system as shown in FIG. 1, is generally designated 100, has an adjustable temperature oven, generally designated 102, with a translatable oven box 104 and a fixed oven endplate 106. Box 104 is shown disposed on rails 108 which are preferably V grooved for receiving the box 104.
  • Oven 102 is shown having an inlet manifold 120, which has computer controlled valves associated therewith, an exhaust manifold 130, which has computer controlled valves associated therewith, a plurality of computer controlled tipoff ovens 140, compressed gas tanks 150 and 152, and electronics computer cabinets 160 and 162. Also shown is first temperature sensor 170, second temperature sensor 172 and third temperature sensor 174 which are coupled to electronics cabinets 160 and 162 by electronics bus 180.
  • the present invention is utilized to manufacture miniature fluorescent lamps by placing lamps in contact with the temperature sensors 170, 172 and 174, and translating the box 104 so that it meets firmly with endplate 106.
  • Lamp 182 which has a first end (not shown) and second end (not shown) and is configured in an "m" shape, however, other shapes could be utilized.
  • First end is coupled to first exhaust port 192 and second lamp end connected to first inlet manifold port 194.
  • the computer monitors the temperature at each lamp station and monitors and controls the pressure in the manifolds so as to allow for the proper gas pressure in the lamp at its particular temperature.
  • the computer processors in cabinets 160 and 162 are capable of monitoring the temperature at each lamp station and calculate using the ideal gas law, the desired fill pressure for that temperature which results in the proper gas pressure at the operating temperature of the lamp.
  • Manifold 120 allows high purity argon to be admitted to the lamp at controlled mass flow rate. Flows from the manifold 120 will be used to both purge the lamp of impurities and fill the lamp to the final desired fill pressure with accuracy and precision.
  • Manifold 120 is shown having a first manifold port 202, a second manifold port 204, and a third manifold port 206 which are respectively coupled with first intake bellows valve 212, second intake bellows valve 214 and third intake bellows valve 216, which are respectively coupled to first valve solenoid 222, second valve solenoid 224 and third valve solenoid 226, respectively.
  • Valves 212, 214 and 216 are coupled with fittings 252, 254 and 256, respectively, by tubes 242, 244 and 246, respectively, which are coupled with inlet tubulation 251, 253 and 255, respectively.
  • Manifold 120 is coupled at one end to UHP argon supply 152 through flex-tubing 260 and through flow controller 262. The output of the valve is controlled by an electrical signal proportional to the flow rate.
  • the command signal input is preferably connected to one of the analog output ports on the MKS 288 IEE controller (FIG. 7).
  • Flow controller 262 is preferably coupled to air actuated bellows shut-off valve 266 which is coupled to solenoid valve 264.
  • Manifold 120 is coupled to pressure transducer 270 which is preferably a 0-100 TORR full scale (absolute pressure) capacitance manometer and preferably has an output that is proportional to manifold pressure. It is operable over the range of 15-200 degrees centigrade.
  • Pressure transducer 270 is coupled with a power supply and readout electronics 271 which have an output to the IEE 488 interface (FIG. 7).
  • the inlet manifold 120 is capable of providing argon from argon tank 152 to tubulations 251, 253 and 255 on a precisely regulated basis by passing from the tank 152 through the valve 266 which is controlled by solenoid 264 into manifold 120.
  • the pressure is monitored by pressure transducer 270 and controlled by valve 266 and allowed to pass from manifold 120 to tubulations 251, 253, 255 by valves 212, 214 and 216 which are controlled by solenoids 222, 224 and 226, respectively.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown an exhaust manifold 130, of FIG. 1.
  • the exhaust manifold 130 collects gases generated during lamp processing as well as the argon purge gas. Gas flow is always from the lamp to the exhaust manifold.
  • the manifold 130 includes a first exhaust port 302, second exhaust port 304, and a third exhaust port 306 which are coupled in a regulated fashion to three exhaust tubulations 352, 354, and 356 which would extend in to one end of three different fluorescent lamps.
  • the valves 312, 314 and 316 are coupled to the tubulations 352, 354 and 356, respectively, by tubes 342, 344 and 346, respectively.
  • At one end of the manifold 130 is cold cathode gauge and controller 360 which is used to measure the base pressure of the molecular drag pump 367.
  • a rough pump port 362 which is coupled to the rough pump 376 by bellows 370, gate valve 372 and TC gauge and display 374.
  • molecular drag pump port 364 is coupled to molecular drag pump 367 and throttle valve 365.
  • the valve 367 is electronically coupled to controller 369.
  • a tank of compressed nitrogen 378 which is coupled to electropnuematic valves 312, 314, 316, and 372 through the solenoid valves 322, 324, 326 and 399.
  • the molecular drag port 364 is coupled to pressure transducer 380 which is an absolute pressure capacitance manometer, preferably having an electrical output that is proportional to the manifold pressure and can be operated over the range of 15-200 degrees centigrade.
  • This manometer 380 is coupled to controller 369.
  • pressure transducer 382 is similar to pressure transducer 380.
  • Pressure transducer 382 is coupled to interface and read out electronics 271.
  • Exhaust tubulation 351 extends through the end plate wall 106 and into the lamp legs 182, which are disposed on the oven box 104 side of the end wall 106.
  • the exhaust tubulation 351 is shown having a mercury trough 430 with a drop 432 of mercury disposed therein.
  • the exhaust tubulation extends to coupler 356, which couples the tubulation into exhaust manifold 130.
  • the exhaust tubulation extends through the tip off oven 412, which consists of a first tip off coil 414 and a second tip off coil 416 which have electrical connections 417, 418 and 419, 421 coupled thereto, respectively.
  • connections 417, 418, 419, and 421 are coupled to the electronics cabinet 160.
  • Currents are caused to flow through coils 416 and 414 thereby creating a high temperature area therebetween and causing the tubulation 351 to seal or "tip off". This is accomplished in a regulated and precise manner by the computer processor in cabinet 160.
  • the inlet tubulation 251 is coupled from the inlet manifold 120 through the connector 256 to lamp leg 184.
  • Tubulation 251 is disposed between tip off oven 402 which comprises a first tip off coil 404 and a second tip off coil 406, which are coupled to electronics cabinet 160 (not shown) by leads 407, 408 and 409, 411, respectively.
  • Both tubulation 351 and 251 are shown in the process of being tipped off where the tubulation is still capable of permitting flow therethrough, however, is almost tipped off.
  • FIG. 5 there is shown an electronic schematic diagram, of the relay interface of the present invention, generally designated 500.
  • the control interface for the isolation valves, the tip off ovens, and the vacuum pumps to the computer system preferably consist of a set of relays which will be activated by the computer system.
  • the control relay interface 500 shows numerous switches coupled to the line 502 to tip off ovens for station 1, the line 504 to tip off ovens for station 2, the line 506 to tip off ovens for station 3, the line 508 to the molecular drag pump, the line 510 to inlet isolation valve for station 1, the line 512 to inlet isolation valve for station 2, the line 514 to inlet isolation valve for station 3, the line 516 to flow controller isolation valve, the line 518 to the roughing pump isolation valve, the line 520 to the oven closing actuator, the line 522 to the oven opening actuator, the line 524 to the oven door closing actuation, the line 526 to the oven door opening actuation, the line 528 to the roughing pump, the line 530 to exhaust isolation valve for station 3, the line 532 to exhaust isolation valve for station 2, the line 534 to exhaust isolation valve for station 1.
  • an analog interface generally designated 600.
  • the outputs of the flow controller and oven controller preferably are brought out to the connector 602 on the side of the electronics cabinet 160, the output of the flow controller is preferably an electrical signal proportional to the flowrate.
  • the connection between the controllers and connector 602 is preferably made with twisted shielded pairs.
  • the lamp station temperature monitors are preferably type J (iron/Constantan) thermocouples.
  • Connector 604 is mounted on the electronics cabinet 160 and connects the cabinet 160 to the thermocouples.
  • FIG. 7 there is shown an electronic diagram, generally designated 700 which is used to monitor the switches on the oven where switch 702 controls signals corresponding to the oven open position, switch 704 controls signals corresponding to the oven closed position, switch 706 controls signals corresponding to the door open position and switch 708 control signals corresponding to the door closed position.

Abstract

A automated miniature fluorescent lamp processing station is disclosed which is used to fabricate miniature fluorescent lamps. The system includes: flow-through gas processing to enhance buffer gas purity, monitoring of the temperature of every lamp in a batch during processing to permit accurate determination of required bus buffer gas fill pressures, real-time determination of target filled pressure at the lamp temperature processing by use of a gas law algorithm and use of microprocessor interfaced sensors and transducers to effect the high level of automation typically required to fabricate avionics grade lamps.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to apparatus for manufacturing miniature fluorescent lamps, and more particularly relates to such apparatus having a flow-through gas design and even more particularly concerns a computer controlled apparatus for manufacturing miniature fluorescent lamps.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, manufacturers of miniature fluorescent lamps have relied heavily upon the personal skill and intuition of numerous skilled artisans.
For example, a miniature fluorescent lamp might be manufactured as follows:
Several glass tubes with the phosphors already deposited therein might be placed in an oven with a single temperature gauge and the temperature raised in order to affect a degassing of the coated tubes. The tubes will be sealed at one end and filled from the other with argon and then evacuated. The process is repeated several times in order to remove the contaminants, which are a by-product of the degassing process.
The artisan will manually control valves, to adjust the pressure in the lamp. While this method has been employed in the past, and has been used to make numerous miniature fluorescent lamps, it does have several serious drawbacks.
First, placing several lamps in a single oven with a single temperature gauge causes temperature uncertainty due to even heat distribution in the oven. This can result in unpredictable gas pressure in the finished fluorescent lamp.
Secondly, the repeated back-flushing approach toward removing the contaminants from the degassing process fails to effectively remove all the contaminants from the lamp.
Finally, there exists a need for improvement in the apparatus and method for manufacturing miniature fluorescent lamps to provide for greater consistency in the characteristics of the lamp.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for manufacturing lamps having more consistent gas pressures therein.
It is a feature of the present invention to include a temperature sensor adjacent each lamp in the oven. Each temperature sensor measures the temperature at each particular lamp.
It is another feature of the present invention to include a computer controlled apparatus for controlling the valves and pressure of gas supplied to the lamps.
It is an advantage of the present invention to precisely control the pressure of the gas within the finished lamp.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a lamp with enhanced luminance.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide an apparatus for manufacturing lamps that includes a flow-through design for carrying away the contaminants caused by the degassing process.
It is an advantage of the present invention to greatly reduce the amount of contaminants remaining in the lamp and thereby increasing the luminance of the lamp.
The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing miniature fluorescent lamps, which is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, produce the earlier propounded objects, include the above described features and achieve the already articulated advantages. The invention is carried out in a "backflush-less" system in the sense that the repeated backflushes in and out a single orifice of the fluorescent lamp have been eliminated. Instead, a flow-through design is utilized where a gas is passed through both one open end of the fluorescent lamp and out the other. The invention is also carried out in a "widely variable internal gas pressure-less" fashion in the sense that the widely varying internal gas pressures associated with lamps produced without strict process controls have been reduced. Instead, the present invention includes a computer controlled manifold system that monitors the temperature around each lamp and provides for more precise regulation of the valves and, thus, the internal gas pressure of the finished lamp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention showing the oven, inlet manifold, exhaust manifold, and computer control devices.
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the inlet manifold and related hardware.
FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the exhaust manifold and related hardware.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the tipoff ovens and coils and associated hardware.
FIG. 5 is a schematic electrical diagram of the control interface of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the analog interface of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic electronic representation of the IEEE 488 interface of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Now referring to the figures wherein like numerals refer to like subject matter throughout. The system, as shown in FIG. 1, is generally designated 100, has an adjustable temperature oven, generally designated 102, with a translatable oven box 104 and a fixed oven endplate 106. Box 104 is shown disposed on rails 108 which are preferably V grooved for receiving the box 104. Oven 102 is shown having an inlet manifold 120, which has computer controlled valves associated therewith, an exhaust manifold 130, which has computer controlled valves associated therewith, a plurality of computer controlled tipoff ovens 140, compressed gas tanks 150 and 152, and electronics computer cabinets 160 and 162. Also shown is first temperature sensor 170, second temperature sensor 172 and third temperature sensor 174 which are coupled to electronics cabinets 160 and 162 by electronics bus 180.
In operation, the present invention is utilized to manufacture miniature fluorescent lamps by placing lamps in contact with the temperature sensors 170, 172 and 174, and translating the box 104 so that it meets firmly with endplate 106. Lamp 182 which has a first end (not shown) and second end (not shown) and is configured in an "m" shape, however, other shapes could be utilized. First end is coupled to first exhaust port 192 and second lamp end connected to first inlet manifold port 194. The computer monitors the temperature at each lamp station and monitors and controls the pressure in the manifolds so as to allow for the proper gas pressure in the lamp at its particular temperature. The computer processors in cabinets 160 and 162 are capable of monitoring the temperature at each lamp station and calculate using the ideal gas law, the desired fill pressure for that temperature which results in the proper gas pressure at the operating temperature of the lamp.
Now referring to FIG. 2, there is shown the inlet manifold 120, of FIG. 1 and its accompanying hardware and structure. The manifold 120 allows high purity argon to be admitted to the lamp at controlled mass flow rate. Flows from the manifold 120 will be used to both purge the lamp of impurities and fill the lamp to the final desired fill pressure with accuracy and precision. Manifold 120 is shown having a first manifold port 202, a second manifold port 204, and a third manifold port 206 which are respectively coupled with first intake bellows valve 212, second intake bellows valve 214 and third intake bellows valve 216, which are respectively coupled to first valve solenoid 222, second valve solenoid 224 and third valve solenoid 226, respectively. These valves are coupled to the electronics cabinets 160 and 162 along electrical lines 232, 234 and 236. Valves 212, 214 and 216 are coupled with fittings 252, 254 and 256, respectively, by tubes 242, 244 and 246, respectively, which are coupled with inlet tubulation 251, 253 and 255, respectively. Manifold 120 is coupled at one end to UHP argon supply 152 through flex-tubing 260 and through flow controller 262. The output of the valve is controlled by an electrical signal proportional to the flow rate. The command signal input is preferably connected to one of the analog output ports on the MKS 288 IEE controller (FIG. 7).
Flow controller 262 is preferably coupled to air actuated bellows shut-off valve 266 which is coupled to solenoid valve 264.
Manifold 120 is coupled to pressure transducer 270 which is preferably a 0-100 TORR full scale (absolute pressure) capacitance manometer and preferably has an output that is proportional to manifold pressure. It is operable over the range of 15-200 degrees centigrade. Pressure transducer 270 is coupled with a power supply and readout electronics 271 which have an output to the IEE 488 interface (FIG. 7).
In operation, the inlet manifold 120 is capable of providing argon from argon tank 152 to tubulations 251, 253 and 255 on a precisely regulated basis by passing from the tank 152 through the valve 266 which is controlled by solenoid 264 into manifold 120. The pressure is monitored by pressure transducer 270 and controlled by valve 266 and allowed to pass from manifold 120 to tubulations 251, 253, 255 by valves 212, 214 and 216 which are controlled by solenoids 222, 224 and 226, respectively.
Now referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an exhaust manifold 130, of FIG. 1. The exhaust manifold 130 collects gases generated during lamp processing as well as the argon purge gas. Gas flow is always from the lamp to the exhaust manifold.
The manifold 130 includes a first exhaust port 302, second exhaust port 304, and a third exhaust port 306 which are coupled in a regulated fashion to three exhaust tubulations 352, 354, and 356 which would extend in to one end of three different fluorescent lamps. The valves 312, 314 and 316 are coupled to the tubulations 352, 354 and 356, respectively, by tubes 342, 344 and 346, respectively. At one end of the manifold 130 is cold cathode gauge and controller 360 which is used to measure the base pressure of the molecular drag pump 367. Also coupled to the manifold 130 is a rough pump port 362 which is coupled to the rough pump 376 by bellows 370, gate valve 372 and TC gauge and display 374. Also coupled to manifold 130 is molecular drag pump port 364, which is coupled to molecular drag pump 367 and throttle valve 365. The valve 367 is electronically coupled to controller 369. Also shown is a tank of compressed nitrogen 378 which is coupled to electropnuematic valves 312, 314, 316, and 372 through the solenoid valves 322, 324, 326 and 399. The molecular drag port 364 is coupled to pressure transducer 380 which is an absolute pressure capacitance manometer, preferably having an electrical output that is proportional to the manifold pressure and can be operated over the range of 15-200 degrees centigrade. This manometer 380 is coupled to controller 369. Also coupled to manifold 130 is pressure transducer 382, which is similar to pressure transducer 380. Pressure transducer 382 is coupled to interface and read out electronics 271.
Now referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a schematic representation of the interconnections between lamp ends 182 and 184 and exhaust manifold 130 and inlet manifold 120. Exhaust tubulation 351 extends through the end plate wall 106 and into the lamp legs 182, which are disposed on the oven box 104 side of the end wall 106. The exhaust tubulation 351 is shown having a mercury trough 430 with a drop 432 of mercury disposed therein. The exhaust tubulation extends to coupler 356, which couples the tubulation into exhaust manifold 130. The exhaust tubulation extends through the tip off oven 412, which consists of a first tip off coil 414 and a second tip off coil 416 which have electrical connections 417, 418 and 419, 421 coupled thereto, respectively. These connections 417, 418, 419, and 421 are coupled to the electronics cabinet 160. Currents are caused to flow through coils 416 and 414 thereby creating a high temperature area therebetween and causing the tubulation 351 to seal or "tip off". This is accomplished in a regulated and precise manner by the computer processor in cabinet 160.
Similarly, the inlet tubulation 251 is coupled from the inlet manifold 120 through the connector 256 to lamp leg 184. Tubulation 251 is disposed between tip off oven 402 which comprises a first tip off coil 404 and a second tip off coil 406, which are coupled to electronics cabinet 160 (not shown) by leads 407, 408 and 409, 411, respectively. Both tubulation 351 and 251 are shown in the process of being tipped off where the tubulation is still capable of permitting flow therethrough, however, is almost tipped off.
Now referring to FIG. 5, there is shown an electronic schematic diagram, of the relay interface of the present invention, generally designated 500.
The control interface for the isolation valves, the tip off ovens, and the vacuum pumps to the computer system preferably consist of a set of relays which will be activated by the computer system.
The control relay interface 500 shows numerous switches coupled to the line 502 to tip off ovens for station 1, the line 504 to tip off ovens for station 2, the line 506 to tip off ovens for station 3, the line 508 to the molecular drag pump, the line 510 to inlet isolation valve for station 1, the line 512 to inlet isolation valve for station 2, the line 514 to inlet isolation valve for station 3, the line 516 to flow controller isolation valve, the line 518 to the roughing pump isolation valve, the line 520 to the oven closing actuator, the line 522 to the oven opening actuator, the line 524 to the oven door closing actuation, the line 526 to the oven door opening actuation, the line 528 to the roughing pump, the line 530 to exhaust isolation valve for station 3, the line 532 to exhaust isolation valve for station 2, the line 534 to exhaust isolation valve for station 1.
Now referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an analog interface, generally designated 600. The outputs of the flow controller and oven controller preferably are brought out to the connector 602 on the side of the electronics cabinet 160, the output of the flow controller is preferably an electrical signal proportional to the flowrate. The connection between the controllers and connector 602 is preferably made with twisted shielded pairs.
The lamp station temperature monitors are preferably type J (iron/Constantan) thermocouples. Connector 604 is mounted on the electronics cabinet 160 and connects the cabinet 160 to the thermocouples.
Now referring to FIG. 7, there is shown an electronic diagram, generally designated 700 which is used to monitor the switches on the oven where switch 702 controls signals corresponding to the oven open position, switch 704 controls signals corresponding to the oven closed position, switch 706 controls signals corresponding to the door open position and switch 708 control signals corresponding to the door closed position.
It is contemplated that numerous variations to the above described apparatus would likely be desirable in order to conform the apparatus to the particular needs of a particular lamp design.
It is thought that the miniature fluorescent lamp processing apparatus of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form herein before described being merely a preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof.

Claims (5)

We claim:
1. A system for manufacturing miniature fluorescent lamps comprising:
a pair of parallel rails having a first end and a second end,
an end plate fixed at the first end of said rails, said end plate having an oven side and a manifold side;
a five sided rectangular box having a backside, a topside, a bottomside, a first end, a second end and an open side,
said box translatably disposed on said rails so that said open side is disposed between said backside and said end plate and so that said end plate covers said open side when said box is translated adjacent said end plate a first tip off exhaust oven and a first tip off inlet oven disposed on said manifold side of said end plate;
a first lamp station disposed about said end plate having a first exhaust port and a first inlet port extending through said end plate, said first lamp station having a first temperature probe disposed on said oven side of said end plate;
a second lamp station having a second exhaust port and a second inlet port extended through said end plate, and a second temperature probe disposed on said oven side of said end plate, a second tip off exhaust oven and a second tip off inlet oven disposed on said manifold side of said end plate;
an inlet manifold disposed on said manifold side of said end plate;
an exhaust manifold disposed on said manifold side of said end plate;
a first inlet tube coupling said first inlet port and said inlet manifold having a first inlet electrically controlled valve disposed therein;
a first exhaust tube coupling said first exhaust port and said exhaust manifold having an electronically controlled valve disposed therein;
a second exhaust tube coupling said second exhaust port and said exhaust manifold, said tube having second exhaust electronically controlled valve disposed therein;
a second inlet tube coupling said second inlet port and said inlet manifold said second inlet tube having a second inlet electronically controlled valve disposed therein; and,
a computer processor coupled with said electronically controlled valves and said first temperature probe and said second temperature probe for electronically monitoring and manipulating the temperature and pressure within the oven.
2. An automated miniature fluorescent lamp processing system comprising:
an oven having a first lamp processing station and a second lamp processing station;
an inlet manifold, for distributing gases to the lamp processing stations;
an exhaust manifold for collecting gases from the lamp processing stations;
a computer processor;
said first lamp processing station having a first electrically controlled inlet valve coupled to said oven and said inlet manifold and electrically coupled to said computer processor;
said first lamp processing station having a first electrically controlled exhaust value coupled to said oven and said exhaust manifold and electrically coupled to said computer processors;
said second lamp processing station having a second electrically controlled inlet valve coupled to said oven and said inlet manifold and electrically coupled to said computer processor;
said second lamp processing station having a second electrically controlled exhaust value coupled to said oven and said exhaust manifold and electrically coupled to said computer processor;
a first lamp having a first inlet end which is coupled to the first electrically controlled inlet valve, and further having a first exhaust end which is coupled to said first electrically controlled exhaust valve;
a second lamp having a second inlet end which is coupled to the second electrically controlled inlet valve, and further having a second exhaust end which is coupled to the second electronically controlled exhaust valve; and,
whereby, gas flow and pressure within the first lamp and the second lamp can be regulated by manipulating the electrically controlled inlet valves and electronically controlled exhaust valves.
3. Lamp processing system of claim 2, further comprising:
a first temperature sensor disposed at said first lamp processing station; and,
a second temperature sensor disposed at said second lamp processing station;
whereby the flow and pressure of gas through the first lamp and the second lamp can be regulated as a function of the temperature associated at each lamp processing station.
4. A lamp processing system of claim 3 further comprising:
a first electronically controlled inlet tip off oven disposed at said first lamp processing station; and,
a second electronically controlled tip off oven disposed at said second lamp processing station.
5. A system for manufacturing miniature fluorescent lamps comprising:
a pair of parallel rails having a first end and a second end,
an end plate fixed at the first end of said rails, said end plate having an oven side and a manifold side;
a five sided rectangular box having a backside, a topside, a bottomside, a first end, a second end and an open side,
said box translatably disposed on said rails so that said open side is disposed between said backside and said end plate and so that said end plate covers said open side when said box is translated adjacent said end plate a first tip off exhaust oven and a first tip off inlet oven disposed on said manifold side of said end plate;
a first lamp station disposed about said end plate having a first exhaust port and a first inlet port extending through said end plate, said first station having a first temperature probe disposed on said oven side of said end plate;
a second station having a second exhaust port and a second inlet port extended through said end plate, and a second temperature probe disposed on said oven side of said end plate, a second tip off exhaust oven and a second tip off inlet oven disposed on said manifold side of said end plate;
an inlet manifold disposed on said manifold side of said end plate;
an exhaust manifold disposed on said manifold side of said end plate;
a first inlet tube coupling said first inlet port and said inlet manifold having a first inlet electrically controlled valve disposed therein;
a first exhaust tube coupling said first exhaust port and said exhaust manifold having an electronically controlled valve disposed therein;
a second exhaust tube coupling said second exhaust port and said exhaust manifold, said tube having second exhaust electronically controlled valve disposed therein;
a second inlet tube coupling said second inlet port and said inlet manifold said second inlet tube having a second inlet electronically controlled valve disposed therein;
a computer processor coupled with said electronically controlled valves and said first temperature probe and said second temperature probe for electronically monitoring and manipulating the temperature and pressure within the oven;
means for providing gas to said inlet manifold under regulated conditions;
means for removing gas from said exhaust manifold under regulated conditions;
means for displaying a pressure reading representative of the pressure in the intake manifold;
means for displaying a pressure reading representative of the pressure in the exhaust manifold;
means for displaying a temperature reading representative of the temperature in each of said first lamp processing station and said second lamp processing stations; and,
said computer processing means capable of determining a desired internal lamp pressure as a function of said temperature readings.
US08/021,425 1993-02-23 1993-02-23 Miniature fluorescent lamp processing apparatus Expired - Lifetime US5384709A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/021,425 US5384709A (en) 1993-02-23 1993-02-23 Miniature fluorescent lamp processing apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/021,425 US5384709A (en) 1993-02-23 1993-02-23 Miniature fluorescent lamp processing apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5384709A true US5384709A (en) 1995-01-24

Family

ID=21804160

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/021,425 Expired - Lifetime US5384709A (en) 1993-02-23 1993-02-23 Miniature fluorescent lamp processing apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US5384709A (en)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5828572A (en) * 1995-07-07 1998-10-27 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Processing System and semiconductor device production method using the same including air conditioning control in operational zones
GB2374978A (en) * 2001-04-28 2002-10-30 Yuan Lin Tsai Vacuum processing apparatus for making neon tubes
US6609070B1 (en) 1998-06-19 2003-08-19 Rodi Systems Corp Fluid treatment apparatus
US20030160962A1 (en) * 2001-01-08 2003-08-28 Jarrett Mark J. Manifold for processing a stacked array of laser block assemblies
US7063583B2 (en) * 2001-03-23 2006-06-20 Wafermasters, Inc. Multi-spectral uniform light source
US20070264130A1 (en) * 2006-01-27 2007-11-15 Phluid, Inc. Infusion Pumps and Methods for Use
US20090287180A1 (en) * 2008-05-19 2009-11-19 Diperna Paul M Disposable pump reservoir and related methods
US20100008795A1 (en) * 2008-01-25 2010-01-14 Diperna Paul M Two chamber pumps and related methods
US20100065579A1 (en) * 2008-09-16 2010-03-18 Diperna Paul M Slideable flow metering devices and related methods
US20100071446A1 (en) * 2008-09-19 2010-03-25 David Brown Solute concentration measurement device and related methods
US20110144586A1 (en) * 2009-07-30 2011-06-16 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Infusion pump system with disposable cartridge having pressure venting and pressure feedback
US9962486B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-05-08 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. System and method for detecting occlusions in an infusion pump
US10258736B2 (en) 2012-05-17 2019-04-16 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Systems including vial adapter for fluid transfer

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3313610A (en) * 1964-07-09 1967-04-11 Westinghouse Electric Corp Method of tipping-off exhaust tubing
US3932164A (en) * 1973-08-14 1976-01-13 U.S. Philips Corporation Method of manufacturing miniature incandescent lamps
US3967871A (en) * 1972-06-23 1976-07-06 Egyesult Izzolampa Es Villamossagi Resvenytarsasag Process for manufacturing tubeless vacuum electric discharge lamps
US4481442A (en) * 1981-03-31 1984-11-06 Patent Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fur Elektrische Gluhlampen Mbh Low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp, particularly U-shaped fluorescent lamp, and method of its manufacture
US4768985A (en) * 1985-06-26 1988-09-06 Hamai Electric Lamp Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing miniature tipless halogen lamp and apparatus for carrying out the same
US5108331A (en) * 1990-08-17 1992-04-28 Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. Method for manufacturing small tubular lamps

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3313610A (en) * 1964-07-09 1967-04-11 Westinghouse Electric Corp Method of tipping-off exhaust tubing
US3967871A (en) * 1972-06-23 1976-07-06 Egyesult Izzolampa Es Villamossagi Resvenytarsasag Process for manufacturing tubeless vacuum electric discharge lamps
US3932164A (en) * 1973-08-14 1976-01-13 U.S. Philips Corporation Method of manufacturing miniature incandescent lamps
US4481442A (en) * 1981-03-31 1984-11-06 Patent Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fur Elektrische Gluhlampen Mbh Low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp, particularly U-shaped fluorescent lamp, and method of its manufacture
US4768985A (en) * 1985-06-26 1988-09-06 Hamai Electric Lamp Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing miniature tipless halogen lamp and apparatus for carrying out the same
US5108331A (en) * 1990-08-17 1992-04-28 Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. Method for manufacturing small tubular lamps

Cited By (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5828572A (en) * 1995-07-07 1998-10-27 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Processing System and semiconductor device production method using the same including air conditioning control in operational zones
US6609070B1 (en) 1998-06-19 2003-08-19 Rodi Systems Corp Fluid treatment apparatus
US20030160962A1 (en) * 2001-01-08 2003-08-28 Jarrett Mark J. Manifold for processing a stacked array of laser block assemblies
US6819430B2 (en) 2001-01-08 2004-11-16 Honeywell International, Inc. Manifold for processing a stacked array of laser block assemblies
US7063583B2 (en) * 2001-03-23 2006-06-20 Wafermasters, Inc. Multi-spectral uniform light source
GB2374978A (en) * 2001-04-28 2002-10-30 Yuan Lin Tsai Vacuum processing apparatus for making neon tubes
GB2374978B (en) * 2001-04-28 2003-06-18 Yuan Lin Tsai Multi-functional vacuum processing apparatus
US20070264130A1 (en) * 2006-01-27 2007-11-15 Phluid, Inc. Infusion Pumps and Methods for Use
US8986253B2 (en) 2008-01-25 2015-03-24 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Two chamber pumps and related methods
US20100008795A1 (en) * 2008-01-25 2010-01-14 Diperna Paul M Two chamber pumps and related methods
US20090287180A1 (en) * 2008-05-19 2009-11-19 Diperna Paul M Disposable pump reservoir and related methods
US20100065579A1 (en) * 2008-09-16 2010-03-18 Diperna Paul M Slideable flow metering devices and related methods
US8408421B2 (en) 2008-09-16 2013-04-02 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Flow regulating stopcocks and related methods
US8448824B2 (en) 2008-09-16 2013-05-28 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Slideable flow metering devices and related methods
US20100071446A1 (en) * 2008-09-19 2010-03-25 David Brown Solute concentration measurement device and related methods
US8650937B2 (en) 2008-09-19 2014-02-18 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Solute concentration measurement device and related methods
US20110166544A1 (en) * 2009-07-30 2011-07-07 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Infusion pump system with disposable cartridge having pressure venting and pressure feedback
US8298184B2 (en) 2009-07-30 2012-10-30 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Infusion pump system with disposable cartridge having pressure venting and pressure feedback
US8287495B2 (en) 2009-07-30 2012-10-16 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Infusion pump system with disposable cartridge having pressure venting and pressure feedback
US20110144616A1 (en) * 2009-07-30 2011-06-16 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Infusion pump system with disposable cartridge having pressure venting and pressure feedback
US8758323B2 (en) 2009-07-30 2014-06-24 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Infusion pump system with disposable cartridge having pressure venting and pressure feedback
US8926561B2 (en) 2009-07-30 2015-01-06 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Infusion pump system with disposable cartridge having pressure venting and pressure feedback
US20110144586A1 (en) * 2009-07-30 2011-06-16 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Infusion pump system with disposable cartridge having pressure venting and pressure feedback
US9211377B2 (en) 2009-07-30 2015-12-15 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Infusion pump system with disposable cartridge having pressure venting and pressure feedback
US11135362B2 (en) 2009-07-30 2021-10-05 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Infusion pump systems and methods
US11285263B2 (en) 2009-07-30 2022-03-29 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Infusion pump systems and methods
US10258736B2 (en) 2012-05-17 2019-04-16 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Systems including vial adapter for fluid transfer
US9962486B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2018-05-08 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. System and method for detecting occlusions in an infusion pump

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5384709A (en) Miniature fluorescent lamp processing apparatus
CN102364327B (en) Sulfur hexafluoride gas-filled type current transformer insulation state on-line monitoring system and method
CN101846536B (en) Device and method for measuring flow of electronic expansion valve
TW200912270A (en) Pressure measurement instrument and method
JP2003535397A (en) Apparatus and method for controlling liquid level
US20150135803A1 (en) Manifold assembly for a portable leak tester
CA2107134C (en) Pressure measurement system for refrigeration system
CN107104067A (en) Flow line charging volume
CN109458701A (en) A kind of air-conditioning with defrosting function
CN2474975Y (en) Multifunction high temperature experimental furnace
CN204302438U (en) The device of on-line monitoring can be carried out to multiple stage SF6 electric equipment state of insulation simultaneously
JPS61130485A (en) Vacuum monitor device
CN213392595U (en) Vacuum pumping system
CN109268679A (en) Weight method filling device for Mixed gas insulation high-voltage electrical equipment
CN106706816A (en) Vacuum sampling device for gas chromatograph
CN207366319U (en) A kind of space division air compressing device pure oxygen analyzer sample processing system
CN208083315U (en) A kind of high hard alloy material simulation forging system
CN207793425U (en) Control pressurer system and plasma deposition apparatus
JP2000024483A (en) Vacuum device
JP2002168854A (en) Device and method for measuring quantity of gas dissolved in liquid
CN117146200A (en) Automatic pipe vacuum degree adjusting device and adjusting method
CN105369207B (en) The apparatus and method of expendable part in quick-replaceable vacuum cavity
US5352143A (en) Automated neon tube evacuation and gas filling system and process
CN217813860U (en) Energy-saving high vacuum exhaust platform
CN217560938U (en) Portable calibration equipment of idle call pressure switch

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, IOWA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:SEDER, THOMAS A.;EBELTOFT, WILLIAM L.;MEYER, W. DAVID;REEL/FRAME:007060/0572

Effective date: 19930223

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

AS Assignment

Owner name: SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WANGTEK, INC.;REEL/FRAME:007588/0685

Effective date: 19941005

AS Assignment

Owner name: NORWEST BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., COLORADO

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:TECMAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:008048/0249

Effective date: 19960703

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

SULP Surcharge for late payment
FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12

SULP Surcharge for late payment

Year of fee payment: 11